Following the decision one of the mens' supporters said in a statement: "The decisions...to overturn the convictions...are a turning point.

'Feeling exhilarated'

"This has been a three-and-a-half-year campaign waged by the families and friends of all those caught up in the trawling nets of police operations gathering historical allegations of abuse in children's care homes".

Mr Williams-Rigby later said "I feel exhilaration."

Mr Lawson, a former police officer, said: "It is wonderful to be free and back with my family."

Both men called for guidelines and safeguards to be introduced covering "trawling" investigations.

A Merseyside Police spokeswoman said the appeal judges' had not criticised the force or Operation Care.

She said: "The appeal was allowed on fresh evidence not available at the time of the first trial and judicial process."